Blue Sands Music
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Raleigh, NC
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Violinist
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68 Verified Bookings
Marquitta W. said “Your service was excellent we really enjoyed”
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I am an experienced, professional freelance violinist of all genres, and I've been studying my craft of violin for 21 years. I offer a fun, original, professional, personal, and high-quality experience to fully meet and exceed your expectations!
Autumn played at our wedding in a violin/cello duet and it was amazing! She is extremely talented and communicated with us multiple times before the event to make the day so special for us. We would highly recommend her to anyone! Thanks again
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
Yay!! Michael I’m so glad everything went so smoothly.you and Jeanette were very easy to work with. Thank you for trusting me and my cello side kick on your big day :)
Autumn was just perfect for our daughter’s wedding. We chose 30 minutes of prelude music from her large repertoire. She also worked closely with our vocalist for two songs and result was so beautiful. Totally happy with results and highly recommend her.
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
Thank you so much for this Janice! I am so pleased that you were happy with everything. Thank you for having me at your daughters wedding. It was just beautiful!
Autumn was stellar! A great communicator who arrived early, stayed late, and performed so beautifully with her violin! Very impressive and we were very pleased.
Autumn's talent and flair entertained my audience of seniors and had them complimenting her ever since! Thank you for bringing your enthusiasm to our residents. They truly enjoyed the fact that you took requests, even one you had not heard before, and ran with it!
Autumn is a true pleasure to work with! Talk about talented! She gave the performance of a lifetime for our special day!
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
Mary!!!! Thank you so much. I had such an amazing time and was seriously so honored to be a part of your (surprise!) special day ❤️
We really enjoyed Autumn! She helped set the mood of the event. Would book her over and over again!
Autumn was sweet, friendly, professional, and wonderful to work with! She prepared music for our wedding ceremony on a short timeline, met with us on Zoom to discuss our plans/vision for the ceremony, and traveled to a place she had never been before to perform at our wedding. She also learned one new piece at our request to play during our unity ceremony. Everything went smoothly and according to plan; Autumn's services are exactly as described. We enjoyed having Autumn play for us and know her music provided a beautiful touch for our special day! Thanks, Autumn!
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
Thanks so much for your sweet review!! I loved meeting the two you and making your day special was so much fun for me! Thanks for having me and enjoy the married life together!
Beautifully played music for our wedding. Very happy.
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
Thank you so much. Your wedding was absolutely gorgeous, and we really appreciate the covid-friendliness of it all!
Autumn done a wonderful job at our Valentines party! We will definitely book her again.
Autumn Brand played violin and Kaitlin Grady the cello. Being the mother of the bride, I missed the music played while the guests were arriving so I was blown away when I heard the beautiful music as we lined up for our procession. This was an outdoor wedding and I have to say the violin and cello were what made the ceremony so beautiful. The flowers of course were beautiful but it was their music that made everything so so wonderful. Highly highly recommend. Thank you so much. We could not have been more pleased!
Everything was arranged online and Autumn was very prompt responding to my questions and she knows exactly what to play if you are not confident in making the selections! Recommend strongly with no reservations at all.
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
Wow Elissa.
Thank you so much for your incredible review, for being so easy to communicate with, and for having us play at your daughters wedding. The atmosphere was absolutely stunning, and I'm so happy we could accommodate with our music and selections!
Thanks again!
We were so glad to have booked Autumn to be our ceremony musician. She and Kaitlin were great! Excellent communication, easy to reach,flexible. I didn't have any worries going into my wedding day about the ceremony musicians because of them! Highly recommend. Thanks again y'all!
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
Thank you so much for the kind review! You were certainly a pleasure to work with yourself. Thank you for helping make everything run so smoothly. Congrats!!!
Autumn was so easy and professional from the first day I found her on Gig Salad! She is an amazing talent, and she had everyone at my wedding crying even during the prelude!! I would recommend her to anyone who wants different, beautiful and personal music for their wedding! She was able to play pop songs as well as classics!!
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
Thanks Zoe! You are so sweet! Everything was so pretty, and I felt extremely relaxed and welcomes at your ceremony. You're such a doll. Enjoy married life!
-Autumn
Autumn Brand was a pleasure to work with from our first conversation. She was attentive and accommodating to the songs and genre that I was wanted for our Valentines cocktail party. Communication was open and enjoyable leading up to the event, she was punctual and beautiful at the appearance and her musical ability should have had her walking the Red Carpet at the Grammy's next year:)
Autumn was fantastic to work with and her music was off the charts, feel comfortable hiring Autumn for your event.
I contacted Autumn to play at an evening garden party as part of my wife's 30th birthday celebration. The music was perfect. Autumn was professional, friendly, and extremely talented. All of our guests felt she added a measure of beauty and elegance to the evening. I would definitely book her again, if given the opportunity.
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
Thank you so much! You were all very hospitable, and certainly wonderful to play for!
I am extremely pleased with Autumn's professionalism and musicianship. She played violin at my daughter's wedding, and it was superb. She's more than willing to learn new music to meet the desires of her customers. I would highly recommend Autumn for any event.
Very professional young lady. Easy to communicate with from the very beginning to the end. Also very punctual.
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
Thanks for the review!
Autumn was amazing, she played as part of a trio for my ceremony and as a strolling violinist for my cocktail hour and everyone loved her. She played classical as well as new music. She also composed music for a song I really wanted to walk down the isle to (for an extra fee). All in all she and her trio executed everything I wanted for my big day.
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
We were so happy with the way everything worked out! Your ceremony was literally the most beautiful I'd ever seen. I wish you and Jean the happiest of days to come!
Let me first start this review off by saying if you are contemplating a decision for a seasoned violinist for your big day, PLEASE.. Look no further! My husband and I had the incredible pleasure of meeting Autumn officially the day before our wedding at our wedding rehearsal. Autumn received us warmly with her vibrant smile and positive attitude. She impressed the both of us as well as our family and wedding party that was present that evening for rehearsal, everyone was so excited for the wedding day. Autumn really has a way of making you feel like you've known her for a long time. She is EXTREMELY professional. She really stayed in close contact with us as the days progressed. She asked you what you would like to have played specifically and also is very skilled to play by ear and pick up any musician of your open for more of an piano/violin ensemble sound. We also hired her and her trio group to play for one of our receptions following the wedding. They all were extremely professional as well and prompt to be in place. Our guests are still raving about how wonderful Autumn was at our ceremony. We can't wait for our videography work to make it back so that we can get a chance to see how well she performed during the prelude.
SUPER LONG story short, Book Autumn the violist for your next major event! You will not be disappointed. I would give her a 10 out of 5 stars if gig salad would allow it.
My husband and I were so pleased.
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
Hey Jackie!
Thank you so much for this super positive, and uplifting review! I am so thrilled to have played your very beautiful wedding this year. Thank you very kindly for the compliments on my playing as well as my person. You and your husband, as well as everyone I interacted with, were so warm, welcoming, and complimentary.
Enjoy the married life!!!!!
-Autumn
Autumn's performance at our wedding was fantastic! She does the classics extremely well, but what we really liked was her breadth of contemporary music as well. We asked Autumn to create something unique and special for the bridal march and she hit it spot on! One the day of the event she showed up early, was available for questions leading up to the wedding, and was extremely professional during ceremony. We had a lot of compliments on her performance from our guests... can't recommend her enough!! Very happy!
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
Wow! What a perfect review! Thank you so much! You guys were truly the best people to play for. I loved how we kept communication lines always open, and how you involved me in the process of picking your music.
Happy marriage!
-Autumn
Autumn was great!!!! She was on time and set up precisely as I would've wished. Autumn kept in contact with me throughout the process and the day of Autumn was really on point. Couldn't have had a better person to assist us in sharing in our moment. Thank you so much Autumn!
Response from Autumn Brand Violinist:
Thank you so much for the fine review!!! I know how stressful these moments can be, and having everything work out as planned is really important to me! You two were so sweet, and I am so happy I got to witness that super special moment with you!!!
Price Range: $300-$1000
Gig Length: 30 - 180 minutes
Languages: English
When hired for a wedding or special event I have been noted for my punctuality, professionalism, friendliness, and excellence in playing abilities. I arrive either with a fully acoustic violin, or bring my acoustic electric in which case I bring my small PA (microphone and stand, cables, and speaker) system that I have allowed people to use for wedding ceremonies for a small fee!
When hired for live or recorded session work I am able to play whatever sheet music is given, or come up with parts on the spot. I'm quite good at improvising, and have a background in songwriting and composition as well.
I'm an energetic and passionate player and person in general, I like to have fun on stage and feel that certainly comes across in my playing!
Autumn Brand is a classically trained violinist of 20+ years. She is also skilled by way of original composition, songwriting, pop music arrangement, teaching, performance, and improvisation.
Autumn is an award-winning composer, songwriter, and violinist. She has won 1st place in the MENC’s national young composers award, 1st place in the Deep South Annual Open Mic Competition, 1st place in the 2006 WA State Solo & Ensemble Contest for violin solo and violin duet, the National Orchestra Person of the Year award in 2006, and 1st place in the national Shorty Award competition for her work in the band Season & Snare. She has been featured for her musical works on WRAL, WUNC, WKNC, Periscope, News & Observer, INDY, Oak City Sessions, SOFAR Sound, Raleigh Television Network, First Night Raleigh, and countless other media outlets.
Autumn studied Music Composition at Central Washington University after joining the Orange County HS of the Art advanced instrumental music program where she performed for the OC Chamber Ensemble, String Ensemble, and performed with the IMSO under the baton of Christopher Russell. She has played in countless honors orchestras, string orchestras, symphony orchestras, string quartets, trios, and duos. She currently plays violin for the Raleigh Civic Chamber Ensemble, the Raleigh Civic Symphony, and the Carolina String Society. She has studied with renown violinists such as Gene Wie of the Southern California Chamber Orchestra, and Concertmaster Carol Chung of the NC Opera and NC Symphony.
Aside from playing classical music, Autumn is very active in the North Carolina music scene. She plays in four local bands ranging from pop/rock to Americana/bluegrass. She writes, arranges, records, and performs all of her parts. She is heavily involved in the rock/pop/indie music scene in Raleigh, NC, and frequently provides session work in and out of the studio for local artists. She currently performs with Season & Snare, New Reveille, Modern Chorus, and Saints Apollo.
I can play completely acoustic or plugged in. I have a pedal board with an LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI, an Aqua Puss analog delay pedal, and a PolyTune tuner. I can play in any type of venue with any type of setup. If necessary, I have a keyboard amp I can use to amplify in certain situations.
May 15, 2022 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
May 10, 2022 • 7:00pm - 7:30pm | Personal Occasion |
March 12, 2022 • 4:30pm - 5:30pm | Wedding Reception |
December 05, 2021 • 4:00pm - 5:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
November 21, 2021 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Holiday Party |
October 08, 2021 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
September 24, 2021 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Cocktail Party |
September 19, 2021 • 5:00pm - 5:15pm | Wedding Ceremony |
August 20, 2021 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Retirement Community Event |
June 20, 2021 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Dinner Party |
May 30, 2021 • 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
October 20, 2020 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
February 14, 2020 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm | Dinner Party |
November 09, 2019 • 4:30pm - 7:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
October 28, 2017 • 2:00pm - 10:00pm | Zach + Laura Wedding |
October 27, 2017 • 12:00pm - 12:15pm | Personal Occasion |
October 21, 2017 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
October 14, 2017 • 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
October 13, 2017 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Trio wedding |
October 07, 2017 • 2:00pm - 8:00pm | Wedding |
September 30, 2017 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
September 23, 2017 • 5:30pm - 6:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
September 17, 2017 • 10:30am - 12:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
September 02, 2017 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Wedding ceremony + cocktail hour |
August 26, 2017 • 5:00pm - 5:45pm | Wedding Ceremony |
July 14, 2017 • 3:00pm - 3:45pm | Wedding Ceremony |
July 09, 2017 • 4:30pm - 7:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
February 11, 2017 • 7:00pm - 10:30pm | Cocktail Party |
December 17, 2016 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Birthday (Adult) |
November 12, 2016 • 4:30pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
October 29, 2016 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Birthday (Adult) |
October 16, 2016 • 1:30pm - 2:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
October 01, 2016 • 4:30pm - 6:30pm | Wedding Cocktail Hour |
September 04, 2016 • 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
September 03, 2016 • 5:30pm - 8:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
July 15, 2016 • 6:30pm - 6:45pm | Wedding Ceremony |
July 02, 2016 • 1:30pm - 1:45pm | Wedding Engagement |
May 14, 2016 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
March 08, 2016 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Cary, NC |
Pop/Rolk/Folk/Alternative:
Yellow by Coldplay
Home by Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros
A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da by the Beatles
Across The Universe by the Beatles
All My Lovin' by the Beatles
Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles
Can't Help Falling In Love by Elvis
I Want to Hold Your Hand by the Beatles
I'm Yours by Jason Mraz
All of Me by John Legend
Trouble by Taylor Swift
Chandelier by Sia
We Are Young by Fun. (ceremony only)
Viva La Vida by Coldplay
First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes
I'm The Man by Aloe Blacc
Ave Maria by Beyoncé
Stitches by Shawn Mendes
Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Behind Blue Eyes by The Who
Blister in the Sun by the Violent Femmes
Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera
Traditional, Religious, Folk:
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Amazing Grace
Edelweiss
Ashokan Farewell
In Christ Alone
It Is Well With My Soul
In The Garden
Classical:
Pachelbel Canon in D
ROCKelbel (upbeat) Canon in D
Wedding March by Wagner
Wedding March by Meldelssohn
Sheep May Safely Graze by Bach
Hornpipe in F by Handel
La Rejouissance by Handel
Air by Bach
Ave Maria
Andante Festivo
Riguadon
Rondo in D by Mozart
The Gift
Palladio
Brandenburg Concerto by Bach
Arioso by Bach
Meditation from Thais
Trumpet Voluntary
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Wedding Music Aria by Haydn
Fugue in Gm by Bach
Sarabande in Gm by Bohm
D minor Concerto by Vivaldi
Ode to Joy
Spring by Vivaldi
Wachet Auf
*I can learn most anything
depends on the type of gig*
Marquitta W. said “Your service was excellent we really enjoyed”
Kelly G. said “Justin was such a fantastic addition to our wedding. He played while guest arrived, as we walked down the aisle and during cocktail hour. ALL of my guest…”
Meghan R. said “Jenny was great to work with. I was in a bind and she provided an excellent, talented cellist. My seniors loved the cellist and many asked her questions…”
Dan A. said “Sharon and Glen helped me to give our outing the perfect enhancement. The Fiddler and the Flutist provided a wonderful repertoire of different music/genres…”